Summer is in full swing! As you lather up the sunscreen, fill the cooler with your beverage of choice (Ommegang Abbey Ale for me, thanks) and break out your thongs (sandals or otherwise, hey, we don’t judge) we present a list of recent comics that are well worth tracking down for your seaside, margarita-sipping, swimsuit-watching summer reading. Enjoy!

Top 5 Books of March

5. Giant Days #1 (BOOM!): OK, so, about 25 years or so ago, I made my way to The Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus; got settled in on the 4th floor of Pinchot Hall, a 10-storey sausage factory; cycled through a few roommates–smokers, snorers, and psychopaths–during my two years on campus; fell in with a group of dorks who’d be my best buds for four blurry years; and all together, as fun as I think it was–as I remember it was–it was nothing like John Allison and Lissa Treiman’s irrepressibly jocular Giant Days #1. Maybe that’s why I loved it so much. Co-ed Musketeers–Daisy, Esther, and Susan–are the hyperbolically dramatic center of this university; and hilarity revolves around them in effortless ellipses, much to our benefit. So good that I can confidently quote McGraw, the mustachioed hate interest, as I consider what the future holds for Giant Days and, fearing a sophomore slump, threaten the creators of this tasty treat: “Nothing you can do can spoil gravy for me.” (SC)

Giant Days #1

4. Autumnlands #5 (Image): Fantasy books are all about world-building. No comic in recent memory has presented a realm so fully realized as Autumnlands. Credit goes equally to writer Kurt Busiek (no stranger to this kind of thing – see Astro City) and artist Benjamin Dewey, whose lush style seems to belong to another era (it doesn’t hurt, of course, that it’s being colored by the omnipresent Jordie Bellaire, who I’m convinced at this point must be some sort of collective of robot artists). Floating cities, magical lore, calcified social strata, layer upon layer intertwine into a cohesive whole. Impressively, one doesn’t hear the awkard, behind-the-scenes clanging of this universe’s construction; rather, it’s as if it has always been there. It is merely our happy fortune to discover it, and get lost in it. Higher praise for a fantasy tale I can scarcely think of. (DM)

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

3. Ant-Man #3 (Marvel): I can’t even with this book. It is just too funny. I literally (and I mean that in the literal sense) have to keep putting it down because I’m laughing so hard. Literally! Nick Spencer is a comic (and I mean that in the comic sense) genius. Here’s your blurb: “The hero may be small, but the laughs are BIG!” (DM)

Ant-Man #3

2. Silver Surfer #10 (Marvel): Dan Slott and Mike Allred are producing the definitive run of this classic character. They spent most of the first year bringing the fun, with story after story teeming with imagination and wit. But with the Silver Surfer, the piper must always be payed. They tackle the central pathos of the character head on: how can a being who played a role in the deaths of untold millions ever be redeemed? The story they come up with is so simple, so perfectly elegant, that I almost can’t believe no one’s thought of it before. Everyone knows that superhero stories from the Big Two are ‘never-ending’. That’s a shame, because this issue would serve as the perfect coda not just for this series, but for the journey that Norrin Radd has been on since Fantastic Four #48, all those decades ago. Beautiful. (DM)

Silver Surfer #10

1. Zero #15 (Image): The Jeff Lemire variant queries innocently enough, “What is Zero?” Answers inspired by fourteen issues of Ales Kot’s crazy, crazy calculus: Soldier. Spy. Hero. Killer. Storyteller. Everything. Nothing. Open up the book, open mind, as always, as necessary with this schizophrenic series, ask again: Who is Zero? Answer inspired by page one, panel one: I have no effing idea! <–I borrowed an exclamation point; don’t think it’ll be missed. Kot unexpectedly offers up a figure who’s furiously fingering a typewriter and, in doing so, adds a literary layer, making the book more than Zero. He’s gone meta, forging unforeseen relationships, crafting, out of the story thus far, a psych-session confession and a catharsis-in-progress. This stunning thing with its wild spirit sees Kot exploiting his poetic proclivities: his words build images that build upon artist Ian Bertram’s images and affecting layouts: it’s a conscious stream of Ginsberg and guns, fathers and sons, drugs and drugs–all of it burrowing into the brain like a drunk bullet. Stories don’t get more tragic than William S. Burroughs’, and Kot’s made magic by borrowing it–as if you couldn’t tell.

Zero #15

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Descender #1 (Image)

Descender is the perfect title for this highly anticipated offering from the frustratingly inconsistent Jeff Lemire: the book, which starts off well enough, descends quickly–and dizzyingly so–to robotic schmaltz, lowlighted by the insultingly saccharine introduction of Tim-21, which bored a hole nerve-deep in my otherwise pretty resilient sweet tooth. Anyone know a good dentist? (SC)

Descender #1

Top 5 Books of April

5. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4 (Marvel): There’s a long-overdue resurgence taking place in monthly comics that are putting the ‘funny’ back in ‘funny books’. We’ve been trumpeting the aforementioned Ant-Man for a while now; add to that the likes of God Hates Astronauts, Kaptara, and East of West (ok, maybe not that last one). Enter: Squirrel Girl. Ryan North (fresh of his excellent, award-winning run on Adventure Time) and artist Erica Henderson have already established a quirky charmer through three issues. Well the fourth installment is, simply put, the funniest single comic I’ve read all year. Most books are lucky to get a chuckle; this one had me laughing out loud five times before I was even that many number of pages in (I’m laughing now, just remembering them). Or maybe I should just put it this way: Squirrel Girl Vs. Galactus. Nuts Said. (DM)

the unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4

4. Mayday #1 (Black Mask): Curt Pires pops for real with this frenetic filet o’ film–one that drops some noms de cinéma (Kaufman, Lynch, and Bay) and goes to effing guerre with them. Oh, yeah, man: it’s a wild ride that reads like a regiment of lines on a mirror meant to be snorted with the eyes and sorted out with a muddied mind. Re: minds: Pires, paired with the more than competent Chris Peterson, sells a story that, in terms of comics, is “sort of like” Matt Fraction channeled through Ales Kot with Tyler Jenkins and Michael Walsh trying to one-up one another from one panel to the next. Mayday #1 will leave you questioning your life choices–especially if most of them have sucked. But you will not question your choice to pick it up–even if it is “just one big blur”; nor will you question whether or not you should pick up #2. I mean, Kleio and Terrence have “just murdered two dudes.” You totally don’t want them to come after you. (SC)

Mayday #1

3. War Stories #8 (Avatar): Sounds like a given: Part 2 of “The Last German Winter” hits the mark with this icy mid-arc march through moral relativism; but let’s be honest: there’s nothing easy–nothing safe–about it. I mean, who can take a Nazi, humanize his ass, then make you wonder all along when hell will come to pass? Only Garth Ennis can. Only Garth Ennis can. (No, you’re not imagining things: go back and hum the tune as you read–heck, sing it out loud, you Sammy wannabe!) He crafts a German hero–Gerhard the Gallant–who, considering the situation, is easy to root for; but we know better, don’t we? Don’t we? Just in case, Ennis reminds us, elbows us to make sure we’re paying attention; oh, but then he nudges us–so vulnerable to his charms–right back to where he wants us–seeing the man, not seeing the monster–thanks mostly to his narrative voice, the vulnerable Rachel Kohler, and to the portrayal of the even more monstrous Russians, their evil punctuated by an horrific splash from Tomas Aira. The execution is near Nabokovian! (No, you’re not imagining things: go back and Hum.) Now that, dear reader, is a war story! (SC)

War Stories #8

2. Chilling Adventures ofSabrina #2 (Archie Horror): Was a long time coming–so long that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa offered up an apology to kick off the letter page!–but this second issue of Sabrina, which introduces with verve the vengeful and irredeemably evil Madam Satan, was well worth the wait. The aforementioned writer–who not only sets a scene, he sets it on fire with his precise imagery–and artist Robert Hack, whose retro style is equal parts pillowy soft and boldly bloody, own the tone of this witches’ brew, which is bubbling over with literary allusions. It’s campy; it’s creepy; it’s killer, kids! (SC)

Sabrina #2

1. Silver Surfer #11 (Marvel): Dan Slott and Mike Allred follow up the powerhouse of issue 10 with a comic that is as formalistically daring as it is emotionally satisfying. Surfer and Co. are trapped in a time loop and the question becomes not only whether they’ll escape, but whether they’ll even realize it at all. A graphic illustration of Free Will versus Determinism, a metaphor for the repetitive cycle of our everyday experience, a tale of love, forgiveness and redemption; this issue delivers all three in a thrilling marriage of form and content. I maintain that issue 10 would have provided an excellent ending to this wonderful series. But I’m glad it didn’t. (DM)

Silver Surfer #11

Top 5 Books of May

5. Zero #16(Image): Collective unconscious, the inevitability of change, the destiny of DNA, the life sentence that is guilt–Zero‘s certainly much more than its title insists. It’s a proving ground, of sorts; it’s Ales Kot’s firing range of ideas: it’s rhyme-free reason; it’s a game of William Tell: Kot himself is the tortured William S. Burroughs, and we’re the trusting Joan Burroughs, with an apple of expectations balanced precariously on our head. Too. Tempting. BANG! Somehow this experimental spy story became an experiment in layers deep meta-fiction; and, despite the jarring shift, the result is nothing short of spore-born brilliance. Wherever this crazy thing ends up, rest assured, Ales Kot will not fail us–but he’ll sure as hell phallus, as evidenced by Tom Muller and Stathis Tsemberlidis’s cocky cover, which, in turn, is further proof of an air of youthful arrogance in Kot’s work, especially here in Zero. I’m more than happy to breathe it in for as long as it lasts. (SC)

Zero #16

4. Afterlife with Archie #8 (Archie Horror): Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla continue to add to their modern horror mash-up by seamlessly incorporating elements that you didn’t even know you wanted; everything from The Shining to The Crucible, even A Christmas Carol. The result is rich tapestry that continues to add texture to the story, a mix that acknowledges the high-points in the history of horror through the unlikeliest of lenses. (DM)

Afterlife With Archie #8

3. Mind MGMT #33 (Image): The ultimate showdown’s coming, but there’s no sign of a slowdown–even as Matt Kindt slows things down to foster a touching family reunion, one that frames Team Meru’s Soldiers of Fortune Cookies and their receiving and executing–with stunning efficiency–their munching–er, marching orders. The decidedly deliberate issue ends with a Dalicious splash that promises a wild time. With the end of the series so near, I’m excited, I’m anxious; but, no, Pipe Kid, I’m not ready–and I’m as not ready as I’m ever going to be. (SC)

Mind MGMT #33

2. Providence #1 (Avatar): Avatar’s publicity department has been describing this new series by Alan Moore as “The Watchmen of horror”. But the story from Moore’s oeuvre that it more readily calls to mind is From Hell (an even more impressive achievement to this reviewer’s mind). FH brilliantly examined the underlying brutality of patriarchal hegemony through the lens of Victorian England, using the Whitechapel murders as a vehicle. Providence promises to delve into the repressed corners of American society of the past century using the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (a passion of Moore’s for some time now) as a framework. Moore explores the Jungian implications of Lovecraft’s mythos (underlying realities masked by our limited human perception) by using them as a metaphor for aspects of the American experience that needed to remain hidden, given the times (in this case, “the love that dare not speak its name”). Yes, there is much to unpack here. Yet for all that, this first issue is a master’s class in restrained, subtle storytelling. The deliberate pacing, the seemingly minor details that gain importance as the issue progresses, the symmetry of the opening and closing segments; Moore’s assured control of the material, when he’s on, has never been matched by another comic book writer. To say nothing of the insane amount of research that is woven throughout. Which brings us to the art. Here another comparison to FH is apt: Eddie Campbell’s nonpareil art in that tome had a scratchy looseness, a sketchy immediacy that pulled the modern reader with its irrepressible energy, despite the period setting. Here, Jacen Burrows takes the opposite approach: meticulously rendered, exhaustive research evident in every carefully placed line. The effect is polished, subdued and certainly visually impressive, but with a formal stiffness akin to watching an episode of Downton Abbey. And yet this is reflective of Moore’s otherworldly precision. Ultimately, the hyperbole of comparing this new series to the well-known Watchmen is needless. This first issue promises an epic Alan Moore tale to match or exceed, in scope, ambition and execution, anything he’s previously produced. That alone should suffice. (DM)

Providence #1

1. Material #1 (Image): With Material, Ales Kot’s has found his forum, the perfect space for him to keep pace with the injustices of the world. No matter how desperate or disparate, they have a home here; and God knows he’ll never want for material as long as he never casts off the lenses–the perspective-altering critical approaches to analyzing, well, everything so relied upon by campus comrades, the arrogant academicians and their lecture-hall spawn–that help him to see the Ugly Spirit* in, well, everything. Despite the pessimism that pervades the four narratives, which may or may not Crash into each other at some point, what Kot’s come up with–in tandem with the ironically-named Will Tempest–is beautiful. He asserts that there’s hope in moments, in connections, and what better way to convey that point than with a comic book! Holding its pages open is like holding hands with Kot himself as he leads the march toward enlightenment–toward Utopia. And even if that march is born of naÏveté, it’s fueled by honesty, by brashness; and in the context of this comic, it’s something I want to follow.

*See Zero to see Burroughs to see that Kot’s got the Spirit–yes he does! (SC)

Material #1

Biggest Dis(appointment)(April/May): Convergence/Secret Wars (DC/Marvel) – A bunch of heroes and villains from various alternate universes battle it out on a patchwork planet in a Secret Crisis of Ultimate Infinite blahblahblah. Yes, I’ve just described the plot of both summer blockbuster crossovers from the Big Two. In the cynical cycle of endless Events, this has to be a new low. I don’t know who’s guiltier: the company that seemingly pilfered the other’s concept, or the company that came up with such an awful idea to begin with. (DM)

Here’s What’s I&N Store: The Spring Break Edition. It’s a lot like the MTV Spring Break shows of the late-’80s, just without the alcohol and the butt floss.

OK, so it’s nothing like the MTV Spring Break shows of the ’80s.

Rebels #1 (Dark Horse): Just I&N and I&N Demand I’m grabbing this one and I’m grabbing it fast! How fast? Howard Fast–that how fast. Man. That’s pretty damn fast. It’s not as fast as I’d like, though. See: my guy doesn’t open until Noon. So, instead of picking up my book on a fine April morning, I’ll be picking it up in the afternoon. Hey: either way, it works for me. I’m just excited to get something original from Brian Wood, one of our favorite writers. In fact, his recently completed Dark Horse series earned the #5 spot in our Top Ten of 2014. But this–this–may be an even more massive undertaking. There’s a Revolution calling–and I’m picking up. Fast.

Rebels #1

Astro City #22 (DC/Vertigo): You know, it’s funny: I didn’t care for the Quarrel arc at all until, wouldn’t you know, “The End of the Trail.” #21 hit some decent notes, including the all-in, action-packed opening and the honesty that fueled the resolution. But as someone who has been critical of the arc, I found the final page the most honest bit of writing that Busiek has done outside of The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw lo these last several months. I know, I know: I’m hearing what I want to hear; but, come on, it’s pretty remarkable that Samaritan says, “There’s got to be a better way than this. We’re losing people we shouldn’t lose.” Um, yeah! Hello! “Good hearts, good minds.” My heart! My mind! “There’s got to be a fix”–yes, indeed! “We can’t leave it like this…” Mr. Busiek, I suspect you won’t. That’s why I’m willing to stick around. Good talk, by the way.

Convergence #1 (DC): Ouch. Dan Jurgen’s super-redundant #0 left me feeling super-loopy; it left me feeling like I want to be left out of the latest reboot loop. Are we kicking things off in the Bizarro world or something? Because I can’t imagine that Scott Lobdell’s name is much of a selling point nowadays. I guess if your plan is to destroy the Universe as we know it…

Copperhead #6 (Image): Copperhead started off really, really well. Then it became, well, pretty run-of-the-mill. Hey, I get it: it’s tough to keep the magic going. Correspondingly, it gets tougher to keep the money flowing.

Descender #2 (Image): Look: #1 was OK. It was familiar and cheesy and did what it needed to do for a first issue. But it wasn’t the big book that many of the review sites built it up to be. Gotta give my man Derek props for his prediction, which may or may not play out: he expects Descender to play out a lot like Sweet Tooth, which I haven’t read. I do know, however, that Lemire’s not afraid to lean on stuff he’s already written. I’m willing to go at least two deep to see if he’s got something new–at least in my sphere–something that’ll hit me like Essex County or Trillium.

Nameless #3 (Image): I&N Demand Let’s be honest with each other: #1 wasn’t all that good. (Granted, it was a #1–even more, it was a Morrison #1.) #2, however, asserted very adamantly, “We’re all good,” what with that terrific twist and all. So, yeah, I’m glad I didn’t cross this one off of my list. It may claim to be Nameless, but it’s kinda Namemore, isn’t it? I mean, Morrison and Burnham are names that sell, names that deliver. Scott Lobdell, however…

The Surface #2 (Image): I don’t know: I didn’t like #1 very much. Might be because I’m stupid. Might also be because Ales Kot–who’s killing it on Zero, our #7 book of 2014–can be pretty incomprehensible at times. No, really: I skimmed through it. I never skim through a comic. I skimmed through this one, though, because I couldn’t connect to it. Odd, right? Especially considering the clever social commentary about being hyper-connected…

All-New Hawkeye #2 (Marvel): Fraction’s baby should’ve been put to sleep for good. But it wasn’t. Instead, Lemire’s in charge; and, as usual, he’s reaching into his quiver of tricks–this time back-waaaaaaay back–to Trillium. That’s right: the last page, if anything, was a flipping warning. Yeah, I’m leaning toward passing.

Ant-Man #4 (Marvel) I&N Demand Ant-Man is a big book–a huge book!We loved #2 enough to name it one of our Top 5 Books of February. #3 was pretty awesome, too. I mean, c’mon: the Taskmaster? And how about the line of the year so far: “Pick a theme!” Yeah, I laughed out loud. Thank you, Mr. Spencer! Something tells me that we’ll be celebrating your book again! Yeah, it’s more than just a little vice at this point, ain’t it?

Ant-Man #4

Evil Empire #12 (BOOM!): Suddenly, I’m not so excited about Evil Empire. Doesn’t feel as tight. And, if I’m being honest, Victor Santos’s art hasn’t lived up to the standard set by those who have come before him. I’m pretty invested at this point, so I can’t imagine jumping off.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

Scooby Doo Where Are You? #56 (DC): Of all of the comics I’ve bought for Avery, the ones I reread the most are Scooby Doo books. She loves the big reveals!

Last week had me Wow-ing more per book than any week in the recent past. Here’s the near future:

Mister X: Razed #2 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand No surprise here: we loved #1. It easily fell into our Top 5 Books of February, the result of the tasty termites and the hungry peregrine pigeons, which, of course, is Christmas come a bit late, you know, in the perfectly-wrapped gift of Dean Motter’s icicle-sharp storytelling. (Deep breath.) It’s everything we loved about Mr. X: Eviction, which was just as easily our #1 Book of 2013. Don’t remember why? Remind yourself.

Mister X: Razed #2

PastAways #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N With his nonpareil Mind MGMT in its stretch run, main man Matt Kindt takes aim–along with artist Scott Kolins–at a fresh future with PastAways, the latest–and most assuredly not the last–entry in the suddenly supersaturated–and not-so-fresh–time-traveling-team market. Yeah, but it doesn’t matter if it’s good, right?

PastAways #1

The Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1 (DC): Re: Mastermen: Morrison and Lee bowled me over with their opening “splash” page–light a match, Adolph! I mean, c’mon: Hitler on the can, reading Superman? Hey, why Nazi? They played it for a laugh–and got it!–and forged a connection between the Führer and me. I was like, that’s what I look like when I’m reading during “Daddy Time,” you know, just without the mustache and the swastika. Yeah, otherwise, pretty spot on. After that, the rest of the book played out well–despite Lee’s pin-up-per-panel approach, which robs the story–artistically, anyway–of any momentum. Not the best single Multiversity issue, but still plenty metafun. This month, Morrison and Mahnke promise to make me “an integral part of the resistance.” Can’t resist that!

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5 (Image) I&N Demand Pretty great all around. Sure, while Busiek’s been busy building this remarkably engaging world, Astro City‘s suffered a bit. (The Quarrel arc is arguably the weakest multi-issue story since our return to the City.) But that’s all right–especially now that the game is a(Good)foot.

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

They’re Not Like Us #4 (Image): They may not be like them, but concerns are rising: we’re three issues in and some of what’s going on is a lot like some of what’s already gone on. Still love the design, though; love getting right to it! And still hanging on the promise made at the end of #1.

Daredevil #14 (Marvel): Ooh, ooh! A Shroud of secrecy! Yeah, that pretty much made it all worth it. As Waid and Samnee are making their way to the end of their run, I can’t help but think about Matt’s exes and wonder: what’s gonna happen to Kirsten? I’m leaning toward this one breaking the mold.

Uncanny X-Men #32 (Marvel): Eva’s conversation with Scott left me feeling like I did after Snyder’s Harper Row lit into Batman (in the regrettable Batman #18). That’s not a good thing. Oh, and so, as it all works out, it’s like nothing ever happened, which is always gratifying. Love that. Oh, oh, and maybe the once and future leader of the X-Men isn’t so far from his grand return. Ugh! I hate all the secrets and the wars that rage as a result of them!

The Black Hood #2 (Archie): I was surprised by how much I liked the first one. What sold it: the last page. As cheesy as it was, it felt authentic, heroic. I needed that. Great stuff from Gaydos.

The Bunker #10 (Oni): I’m feeling somewhat disconnected from The Bunker at this point. If it were released on a more regular basis…

Hit: 1957 #1 (BOOM!): I was surprised that Hit earned a Harvey nomination because it wasn’t great. Sure, it hit the right notes at the start–and at its soul was something to celebrate; but it didn’t come together well, as evidenced by the unremarkable end. I’ll thumb through to see if Del Rey’s art is enough of a draw to warrant a try. Otherwise, I’m going to pass.

Mono #4 (Titan): Through three now, I’m kinda feeling like I did after the summer after I graduated from high school–you know, after saying hi and goodbye to four different girls before leaving for college, and after learning that I had a case of mono, one bad enough to keep me home for what would’ve been my first semester at Penn State. Just like that, actually.

Quantum and Woody Must Die #3 (Valiant): Funny, funny, funny!

The Sixth Gun #47 (Oni): The stack grows.

The Valiant #4 (Valiant): #3 didn’t hit me like #2 did. Resulted in a bit of a letdown, especially as the entirety of the Valiant Universe gets further mired in Lemire’s return to Rotworld.

The Twilight Zone: Shadow and Substance #3 (Dynamite): The first two-issue arc didn’t live up to Straczynski’s standard–but how could it? I’m probably going to pass.

We Can Never Go Home #1 (Black Mask): I haven’t like much of what I’ve tried from Black Mask. This one sounds interesting enough. I’ll thumb through to be fair.

Avery’s Picks of the Week

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #29 (IDW): My wife just came home from Stop & Shop with eight more Pony blind bags. Thanks a lot DCTC! We’re drowning in Ponies over here–new ones and duplicates! I think we have three Pursey Pinks, for crying out loud!

Abigail and The Snowman #4 (BOOM!): My daughter’s dug it plenty–even if the Snowman is more Bumble than Olaf.

Oh, wow, OK. I was expecting you to say something else. You know, with Kindt and Kot and Slott and whatnot.

Hmm? I said thaw. Right? Thaw. Especially after all of the ice and snow.

Yeah, no, I know. Frost giants are bad-ass. But whoever the hell it is under that helmet is all business. Girl power, baby!

Thaw. Not Thor. Thaw.

That is the question, isn’t it?

No, it isn’t. You’re just not getting it, are you?

Are you kidding me? Of course, I am! I mean, Aaron’s hammering home a relevant point about gender, about identity–it’s almost Shakespearean if you think about it!

Just did. And, no, it isn’t.

I’m so confused right now. Doesn’t really sound like you’re really all that interested in Thor. I mean–I don’t know.

Third base.

Astro City #21 (DC/Vertigo): This Quarrel-centric arc’s been a drag. Wondering if Astro City‘s suffering from Busiek’s attention to his excellent–and anthropomorphically-fresh–The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw.

East of West #18 (Image) I&N Demand I always look forward to getting lost in Hickman’s fatal vision, particularly now with the increasingly-intriguing boy with the A.I. balloon. Alas, Babylon: I wish you well on your journey!

Sidekick #10 (Image): I’ve liked Sidekick a lot. Hard to imagine I almost quit after the first one! Oh, and then there was the time I accused J.M.S. of plagiarizing–his own material, for goodness sake! (In an odd twist, Straczynski employed a plot device in The Twilight Zone [our #10 book of 2014, by the way] that just so happened to be an integral part of fellow shelf-sitter Sidekick.) All blood under the bridge. Can’t wait to see how this wraps up.

The Surface #1 (Image) Just I&N Ales Kot–love him (Change, Zero) or hate him (Suicide Squad, Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier)–demands attention with his off-beat, oft-rhythmic writing style. He definitely does “mind-bending” well, so I’m definitely down with discovering what lies beneath The Surface.

The Surface #1

Ant-Man #3 (Marvel) I&N Demand Never in my life–or at least in the last couple of months–did I expect to find myself excited about Ant-Man. Ant-Man for God’s sake! It’s mostly promotional material, isn’t it? And what about Secret Wars? I mean, is this series gonna get stepped on after #5? But Spencer’s having a good time and it shows! (See Darth Vader and Princess Leia for very much the opposite feeling.) And, then, of course, there’s the promise of the Taskmaster, one of my all-time faves.

Ant-Man #3

Silver Surfer #10 (Marvel) I&N Demand Any regular reader–or occasional clicker–worth his power cosmic knows that we love Slott and Allred’s Silver Surfer, our #4 book of 2014. What you don’t know–no matter your status–is that #8 was a Top 5 Pick of January and #9 was a Top Five Pick of February. (Yeah, no links. Sorry: we’re kind of behind. It happens. A lot.) It’s been the perfect balance of humor and huge moments–none huger than the coming of Galactus.

Silver Surfer #10

Star Wars #3 (Marvel): Of the three newly relaunched Star Wars books, this one’s the only one that seems to care. How much do I care? Not as much as I had hoped. We’ll see if this one helps.

Thor #6 (Marvel): OK, so I’m intrigued. Sure, there have been some terrible moments (#5, for example: What is that nonsense between Thor and Titiana? Is it The Sisterhood of the Traveling Spandex?); but they’ve been generally tempered by the well-developed mystery and the emergence of the Odinson as a superior supporting character.

The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood #5 (Dynamite): A decent Twilight Zone-ish story with some literary notes comes to close.

Ninjak #1 (Valiant) I&N Demand Matt Kindt’s proving that Valiant picked the right guy to power up their universe–especially with his latest wave of books (The Valiant, Divinity) Ninjak promises to be further proof.

Ninjak #1

Rachel Rising #32 (Abstract Studio): I had this book written off for dead after #29. #30 found Terry Moore resurrecting everything that made Rachel rise above the rest–and into our Top Ten Books of 2013. Pretty glad I kept it on my pull list. Thing is, I know that Moore can slip to less–and that knowledge is going to linger, maybe even spoil. Rats.

The Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust #1 (Oni): If it’s The Sixth Gun, it’s going to find its way into my bag.

War Stories #6 (Avatar): Garth Ennis and Tomas Aria are telling the harrowing story of the Children of Israel, and I’m on the edge of my seat to find out how it ends.

Wednesday’s forecast for the weather outside of my local comic shop is pretty much the same as its been: as cold as can be. (I guess someone’s gone and ticked off Elsa again.) The forecast for inside, however, is hot hot hot! (That’s right: the way to thaw a frozen heart is with an act of true love–in this case, a perfectly pulled bag of comics!) Speaking of hot books: our Top Ten Books of 2014 is well represented this week. Take a peek:

I know better, though: B&R‘s been a huge disappointment for months now. In fact, I finally got around to dropping it from my pull list last month. No longer under any obligation, I should leave it on the shelf and fill the void with something new. God knows there will be plenty of players for the spot. Image alone has a thousand new titles coming out in the next few months, so…

Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #4 (Image): I can’t be the only one who’s noticed: the current arc of Astro City‘s been a bit blah; but this has been really, really good. Coincidence?

Bitch Planet #3 (Image): I enjoyed #1 for all sorts of reasons (exploiting exploitation, lots of Tarantino, hints of Fraction, etc.). Hey: borrowing works well when it works well. Oh, but when it doesn’t… #2 lost me from the get-go–especially as I was taken immediately to a low budget modern-day exploitation flick that I caught one night on one of the Showtime or HBO channels: Raze, starring Tarantino darling Zoë Bell. Coincidence?

Raze (2013)

I’ll try this one and see where it takes me.

Lazarus #15 (Image) I&N Demand Our #2 book of 2014! It’s what we’ve been waiting for for like, well, forever: Forever in a Trial by Combat against another Lazarus!

All-New Captain America #4 (Marvel): I know, I know. But it hasn’t been terrible. And this time out, Remender’s dusting off the Armadillo! Gotta wonder, though, what effect Secret Wars is going to have on this little experiment–and if it’s worth following a dead title shelf-sitting.

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #9 (Marvel): I love what Kaare Andrews is doing with Danny Rand. In fact, Iron Fist was my #16 book of 2014–and my third-favorite superhero monthly after Silver Surfer and Moon Knight. High praise, indeed!

Magneto #15 (Marvel): Bunn’s done a nice job of telling stories from issue to issue. He’s delivered some nice twists along the way, too. #14 ended with Magneto’s giving himself up to S.H.I.E.L.D. Wonder what his endgame is…

Moon Knight #12 (Marvel) I&N Demand Our #8 book of 2014! #11 ended on a bit of a down note–you know, with Marc Spector falling out of a flying detention facility and all. (Wood and Smallwood must’ve watched–and liked–Stallone’s waterlogged–yet undeniably watchable–prison break bingo, Escape Plan, as they delivered quite an homage with Spector in Stallone’s role and Khonshu in Schwarzenegger’s.) Not looking forward to saying goodbye to Wood and Smallwood, but I am looking forward to seeing how they end their arc–and how they leave things for Cullen Bunn and Ron Ackins. Maybe they’ll reach back to Bullet to the Head. Or Avenging Angelo…

Uncanny X-Men #31 (Marvel): Bendis is on his way out. That promises some real havoc in the X-Universe. No, really–look:

Uncanny X-Men #31

Burning Fields #2 (BOOM!): Kinda like a cross between The Killing and Homeland. Not a bad thing.

Cap Stone #3 (Titan): Some real high points: the conversation between Charlie and her mom; the wild shifts in Sharp’s artwork. Some low points, too: the conversation between Charlie and her mom; the wild shifts in Sharp’s artwork. I loved #1. #2, however, exposed a serious flaw: inconsistency. Still intriguing enough, though.

Mono #3 (Titan): Another book from Liam Sharp that took a step back after a very promising premier. What spoiled the sophomore offering: the conversation–coincidence?–between Heinrich and Isabella, which acts as a dragline on the storyline. Also seems waaaaaay too serious for a book about an ape-man secret agent and assassin for the Queen, doesn’t it? It’s so goddamned dour! I do like the layered approach that Sharp’s taking to create the Mono myth, however.

The Valiant #3 (Valiant) I&N Demand I liked #1 enough–but I absolutely loved #2! I was particularly struck by the artistic collaboration between Lemire and Kindt on the storybook section. Sure, many of the notes that are struck remind of Lemire’s run on Animal Man; but what the hell–they work well here, so all the better!

The Valiant #3

The Twilight Zone #12 (Dynamite) I&N Demand Our #10 book of 2014! This issue ends an extremely powerful arc and Straczynski and Vilanova’s superior run. So sad to see this go. Hmm. Maybe–just maybe–I could travel back in time and kill another series–Dream Police, for instance–in its place…

Snow what? I’m definitely digging the blizzard of comics–whether good or bad–in the forecast for my area.

Resurrectionists #4 (Dark Horse)

Astro City #20 (DC/Vertigo)

Satellite Sam #11 (Image): I&N Demand Sam‘s been gone for a while. Can’t wait to get back into the sordid swing of things. Hope my guy has it in stocking–I mean, stock. Gosh. This cover’s got me Chaykin in my heels.

Satellite Sam #11

Southern Bastards #6 (Image): I&N Demand The shift in the focus of the narrative was surprising, sure. It’s also been pretty boss. A punishing tale of persistence that is its own reward.

Southern Bastards #6

All-New X-Men #36 (Marvel)

Darth Vader #1 (Marvel)

Thor #5 (Marvel)

Brides of Helheim #4 (Oni)

Divinity #1 (Valiant): Just I&N Matt Kindt’s next Valiant venture.Sure, I didn’t like Rai very much; I even lost interest in Unity pretty quickly. But I’m enjoying The Valiant and am curious to see Kindt’s take on Ninjak. This, however, is the one I’m looking forward to the most. I certainly wouldn’t mind if Kindt manages to give me another book to love–you know, to eventually fill the massive void that’ll be created as Mind MGMT reaches its inevitable end.

Divinity #1

Magnus: Robot Fighter #11 (Dynamite)

Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #5 (Valiant)

Rachel Rising #31 (Abstract Studio)

The Sixth Gun #46 (Oni)

Über #22 (Avatar)

War Stories #5 (Avatar)

Wild’s End #6 (BOOM!): I&N Demand Wild’s End ends here. How much does that suck!? The first five issues have been anthropomorphically delicious! We have been in love with this series–from Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard–since the deceptively simple and surprisingly affective first issue. (Between you, me, and the scary-ass lamppost: we loved it so much that we named it one of our favorite books of 2014. No, you haven’t missed anything: we haven’t gotten around to publishing the list yet; but it’s coming soon–I promise.) If you’ve pretty much missed the train on this one, do yourself a favor and put the trade on your list. You will not be disappointed.

This is not a drill: I will be buying no fewer than three Action Labs books this week. To make room for them–and a sexy hardcover that I can’t possibly pass up–in the ol’ bag, I’m considering a couple of high-profile drops (Sex Criminals, Starlight). Also looking forward to some reinvigorated interest (Zero) and an awkwardly-named under-the-radar book–the terrific Thomas Alsop–that’ll make your bag go BOOM!

Dark Ages #1 (Dark Horse): New series from prolific Brit writer Dan Abnett and artist I.N.J. Culbard. They’re offering a take on the Dark Ages that’s a bit alien to us. Dark Horse is offering a preview here. I’m enjoying Culbard’s work on 2000 AD’s Brass Sun, so I figure I’ll give this one a try.

Astro City #14 (DC/Vertigo): With #13, Busiek and Anderson showed us a real good time: 24 hours’ worth of finely fractured Astro City action–a puzzle with the final piece placed oh so perfectly.

Astro City #14

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #37 (IDW): Shredder and Krang? How’s that going to work out? This “stand alone” promises to provide the answer. Standing in for Mateus Santolouco is Corey Smith, who’s been doing some solid work on Dynamite’s Magnus: Robot Fighter.

Sex Criminals #7 (Image): Congrats to Fraction, Zdarsky, and Image on the Eisner for Best New Series. OK. Enough of that. I wasn’t overly–or underly–impressed with #6. It felt like a conversation I could’ve had with my buddies, which is fine, you know, its playing nostalgic notes and all; but is that what I want out of a comic book? Well, that’s pretty much what the series has been from the get-go, and, if I’m being honest, what caught my interest initially. That interest, however, has waned, again, because, in the end, this isn’t a comic book as much as it’s, as the narrative knowingly reveals by disintegrating the fourth wall, an occasionally clever conversation that would be better suited as a blog or a podcast. The “criminal” contrivance has been the comic book bait; but in the end, it’s the sex talk that sells, and I’m not buying it anymore. Probably not.

Starlight #5 (Image): #4 was so far from the promise of #1 that I’m figuring Millar’ll never get back to it. He’s fallen to formula, as usual, and, as a result, I’m leaning toward passing–as usual. Sucks, too. #1 was so damn good.

Zero #10 (Image): Speaking of living up to promise: Ales Kot’s back on track after delivering a very affecting #9, which worked its way to a Sophie’s Choice moment played out with a painfully pregnant page turn. And now as I’m warming back up to Zero, it’s off to Iceland.

Zero #10

All-New X-Men #30 (Marvel): #29 was non-stop action rendered mostly in shades of Cyclops’s signature ruby red, which helped to sell a still suffering Scott Summers. Happy to say, I’m still high on how Bendis is handling the X-ceptionally large cast of characters. With all the time travel stuff going on, the most significant journey is the one I’m taking: Bendis and crew are reminding of what made the X-Men so good for so long–and what I, as a Claremont-reared X-reader loved about ’em.

The United States of Murder Inc. #4 (Marvel): A killer series all around. I had my doubts after the first issue; but #2 and #3 have been a double tap to the head.

Archer & Armstrong #23 (Valiant): Fred Van Lente is doing it his way all the way to the end, my beautiful friend, the end–of “American Wasteland.” I wrote about #21 here, and #22 was a mighty fine follow-up that is in the running for our Top 5 of July. Can’t wait to see how the arc plays out. I just know I’m gonna love it madly!

Archer & Armstrong #24

Armor Hunters #3 (Valiant): So far, so good. Doesn’t claim to be anything more than what it is.

The F1rst Hero #1 (Action Labs): On the strength of the deific Dry Spell, I’m trying any and all Action Labs books that I can find. I don’t know the creators, but when has that ever stopped me?

Midnight Tiger #1 (Action Labs): Ditto. Brings to mind Danny Fingeroth and Mike Manley’s stab at an all-new teen hero back in the early ’90s: Darkhawk. That book ran for fifty issues. How many will DeWayne Feenstra and Ray-Anthony Height end up with?

Southern Dog #1 (Action Labs/Danger Zone): Double ditto. Expected: immediately calls to mind Southern Bastards and, of all things, Ms. Marvel. Comparisons are inevitable. Most interesting of the three Action Labs titles–even if, in the end, it’s a werewolf book. The last werebook I read–which just so happened to have Riley Rossmo on it–was the underwhelming Cursed (BOOM!).

Thomas Alsop #3 (BOOM!): Thomas Alsop. The name doesn’t really ring, but don’t let that fool you: this book is friggin’ great. In fact, we’re calling #2 one of our Top 5 Books of July. One of these days, we’ll get around to the write up. Until then, be sure to pick this up–if only to see how well Chris Miskiewicz and Palle Schmidt balance the present and the past.

Thomas Alsop #3

The Heart of the Beast HC (Dynamite): The team of Judith Dupré (author of Skyscrapers, an award-winning book about, well, skyscrapers, don’t ya know!), Dean Motter (creator of the Innie Award-winningMister X: Eviction), and Sean Phillips (artist of Brubaker-ian proportions; see: Fatale, Criminal, Incognito, and the soon-to-be-released The Fade Out.) make this book–celebrating its 20th Anniversary–a Must Buy.

Avery’s Picks of the Week:

Littlest Pet Shop #4 (IDW): The littlest pets are big on fun!

Doodle Jump #3 (Dynamite): My daughter’s been known to drop everything only to exclaim, “I’m a ninja!” She’s also kind of obsessed with American Ninja Warrior. She creates her own obstacles and attacks them, only to jump off into the “water,” which, of course, is a win. I love my little ninja!

Astro City #13 (DC/Vertigo): While #11 earned Top 5 honors for April, #12 left us wanting. We’re still wanting–wanting #13 to make us want for nothing. I’m betting on Busiek and Anderson and their single-issue, Astro City version of a season of 24.

Astro City #13

Royals: Masters of War #5 (DC/Vertigo): Rob Williams had himself a helluva month of May. Ordinary #1 was extraordinary, and Royals #4 was a crowning achievement! A little inside info: you just may see Mr. Williams’ name on our next Top 5 list. For which book? You’ll just have to wait and see! Until then, bombs away!

Royals: Masters of War #5

Starlight #4 (Image): A stellar first issue has fallen a bit to formula. Typical of Millar, no? Sell that concept! Sell, sell, sell! Worthy of praise: it’s been on time. That’s something! Aw, heck: of course I want to see how Flash–I mean, Duke–gets out of this scrape!

All-New X-Men #28 (Marvel): I’ve finally come ’round–or is it that Bendis has finally come ’round? Hmm. Probably a bit of both. Just like any good–or evil–mutant, it takes time for their powers to manifest; this mutant manifesto just so happened to reach puberty at #26. Phew. This has been–by far–the longest leash I’ve ever let out.

The United States of Murder #2 (Marvel): Speaking of Bendis: #1 wasn’t a game changer by any means, but I found the twist at the end enough of a lure to go at least one more.

Armor Hunters #1 (Valiant): Of course I’m gonna try it! Venditti has sold it well enough in X-O.

Dicks #1 (Avatar): Ennis, McCrea, and Avatar? Seems like a menage a trois made in a seedy apartment. Fast forward to next month, assuming the best, of course: Well, wouldn’t you know: turns out I do like Dicks! I know at least one ex-girlfriend, who, short on context, would say, “Mm-hmm.”

The Empty Man #1 (BOOM!): Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Magneto)–a fella who’s full of ideas–teams up with Vanesa Del Rey (Hit)–a striking stylist, who’s in need of a strong showing after a disappointing turn on Zero–to infect our bags with a viral mini.

Uber #14 (Avatar): #13 was a very different Uber story. Sure, it was a big ol’ cliche; but that’s OK: Katyusha is a character that just tugs at your heartstrings–and rips your heart through your ribs and blows the rest of you to bits. Gotta love her and what Gillen’s been doing with Uber.

Avery’s Pick of the Week:

Bee and Puppycat #2 (BOOM!): #1 was a winner–though Grammy was a bit concerned about Puppycat: “It’s just…unnatural!” Get over it, Grandma! Avery likes it!

#5. Astro City #11 (DC/Vertigo): A quick perusal of our past Top 5 lists will tell you that we’re generally not the biggest fans of superhero fare. Oh sure, we have a soft spot in our hearts for the cape and costume set; they were after all our gateway drug into the wider world of comics. But with such a bevy of quality non-superhero books inhabiting the current comics landscape (it really is a golden age folks), why waste our time on the cynical merry-go-round of movie tie-ins, Big Events and the never-ending, never-changing battle? Even worse are those titles which claim to be edgy by adding some nominally ‘mature’ wrinkle to the works: ‘superheroes who swear!’ ‘superheroes who have sex! (full frontal!)’ or some other such trope that was well-worn by Watchmen nearly thirty years ago. It takes something far less gimmicky to add something new to the genre (and that’s what superheroes are, fanboys; not mainstream but a genre).

Luckily, in Astro City, Kurt Busiek and Brent Eric Anderson have managed just that. Nearly a year into the title’s return after an extended hiatus, Busiek and Co. remind us of their mastery of the eye-level approach to the fantastic. This time out centers around a personal assistant, the type of capable multi-tasker who’s invisible to the public and indispensable to her boss. But of course in this case, her boss is a superhero. Like many in her profession, her duties include, but are not limited to: answering mail, keeping track of finances, scheduling appointments, etc. But because her boss is a mystical Dr. Strange type, a missed appointment can mean placating interdimensional gods who threaten our world with annihilation for their inconvenience. The story is an ode to all of the unsung, behind-the-scenes supporting players who, through sheer competence, organization and the ability to keep a cool head, keep the world running, day in, day out. The pleasure comes from watching our harried-but-never-overwhelmed protagonist put out fires, ranging from the mundane to the apocalyptic, with nothing more than a well-placed phone call or a sift through her files. That, and the loving, sideways homage Busiek and Anderson have crafted to some of the stranger Silver Age forays of Kirby, Ditko, Lee, Thomas, et al. To paraphrase, there are a million stories in Astro City. This is one of the best. (DM)

Astro City #11

#4. Silver Surfer #2 (Marvel): What goes on here? Two superhero books from the Big Two crack our Top 5? Well yes, when one of them is drawn by the inimitable Mike Allred. His wild, Pop Art aesthetic (enhanced by the bold hues of wife Laura Allred) immediately brings the fun to any book it graces. And Dan Slott scripts a tale to match involving intergalactic hucksters (‘the Incredulous Zed’) extra-dimensional god-constructs (‘The Queen of Nevers’) and sensitive Plorpian digestive systems. Not to mention the true protagonist of the story, one ‘Dawn Greenwood’ of Anchor Bay, Massachusetts. Appropriately titled “Everything And All At Once”, the story owes less to typically constrictive superhero dynamics, and more to the expansive exuberance of the likes of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett (despite our American creators, there is something distinctly British about the proceedings; a compliment, naturally.) In other words, if you’re looking for a rollicking good sci-fi bender of a time (and why wouldn’t you be?), you could do a lot worse than Silver Surfer. (DM)

Silver Surfer #2

#3. Lazarus #8 (Image): Greg Rucka and Michael Lark are on quite a run: this is the third month in a row that we’re celebrating Lazarus as a top book. (It’s true: check out what we had to say about the patient perfection of #6 and #7!) What’s keeping the book pegged to the big board issue after issue? It’s the storytelling. The fellas have forged themselves a winning formula–one that’s made all the more impressive by the fact that in no way does it feel like they’re going through the motions; no, they’re keeping it fresh as can be, once again to purpose employing parallelism to amplify further the conflict, which has been an eager flame burning its way through a long fuse to an explosive effect without any bombs going off–at least not quite yet, anyway. This installment of the 2014 Innie nominee for Best Ongoing Series is once again built upon a foundation of the early days of Forever. In this case, Forever fails to live up to expectations and misses out on a meeting–on her birthday, no less!–with her frustrated father, who leaves a very significant gift behind: White’s The Once and Future King, an insinuation that speaks to Forever’s growth and purpose–and, in that, to Rucka’s inspiration for the series. This significant sequence comes back around when present Forever finds herself in an ethical bind, knot courtesy of a catty Daddy Carlyle, over the impending terrorist attack in Denver. Oh, the road to Denver is paved with good intentions, innit? Doing most of the paving: Michael Barret and Casey, who, while on their way to the Lift Selection, are willing to offer up a hand to their fellow travelers, including, at the very end, an Angel of Death. It’s all coming to a head, folks; and the book–and we–couldn’t be in better hands. (SC)

Lazarus #8

#2. Southern Bastards #1 (Image): Oh. Shit. Jason Aaron and Jason Latour have made quite a splash with their merciless ode to good ol’ boys. Now, I’m predisposed to liking it because of its being not unlike Justified, with its Southern-fried setting and tone, and even its well-defined yet ambiguous cast of characters, smacking of the late, great Elmore Leonard, and, in that, the often late, great Garth Ennis–which makes even more sense considering that it also reads a hell of a lot like Fury: My War Gone By and Mark Millar’s Starlight because of the big notes of nostalgia and, tying it all together, because Latour’s Earl is plenty Parlovian. The story’s solid from the get-go: Jason Squared pitches the prodigal son’s return and expertly upsells pathos as the conflict grows–just as a tree grows from Earl’s father’s grave–into the final sequence, itself a grueling duel of duels–a one-two combination (punishing blows received and delivered) of violent events enlivened by the lyrical layouts–that cements this debut as a top book of the month; it’s the love shown by the creators for the South and the story inspired by it that makes it even more than that. (SC)

Southern Bastards #1

#1. The Massive #22 (Dark Horse): Thus far, Brian Wood’s apocalyptic take on Moby Dick has focused on one Callum Israel, whose Ahab-like obsession with finding his eponymous ship has led him to the far corners of a world that is slowly falling apart due to a mysterious event known as The Crash. The search has allowed Wood to explore in convincing detail (with the help of an impressive cadre of artists; here Danijel Zezelj does the honors, with Jordie Bellaire on colors) the effects of environmental devastation, economic collapse, and political disintegration in such disparate locales as Iceland, Hong Kong and Mogadishu. The sheer breadth of Wood’s geopolitical knowledge and inquiry is impressive. It also pulls off the neat trick of serving as both the series’ raison d’etre and narrative backdrop to its central mysteries: Where is the Massive? What caused The Crash?

Just as the answers have eluded the increasingly obsessive Callum (did I mention he was dying of cancer?), Wood’s writing has sometimes been frustratingly vague. Many of the arcs (all consisting of three issues) have run like this: fascinating set-up, high stakes climax, baffling denouement. While there’s something to be said for not giving the reader what they want, the considerable tension inherent in the story has sometimes been undercut by endings that seem deliberately anticlimactic, and even obtuse. Well the first issue of the latest arc, “Sahara”, finally promises some resolution, beginning with the one to the other great mystery: Where the hell has Mary been?

Mary, Callum’s lover, shipmate, and conscience of his crew, seemingly abandoned him in his time of greatest need. This issue finds her, in typical Wood fashion, smack dab in the middle of a geopolitical intrigue with real-world resonance. She’s guarding a convoy of the world’s most precious post-Crash resource: water. As the spotlight shifts to her, we begin to realize what Wood has been hinting at all along: the search for the Massive is a MacGuffin. All mysteries lead to Mary. By turns the most compassionate and the most remote, she has quietly taken on an otherworldly dimension. As we watch Mary cross the desert, now with child, one cannot help but think that as the series builds to its conclusion, Wood is countering the obsession and despair of the white whale with an almost biblical hope for salvation. (DM)

The Massive #22

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Mind MGMT #21 (Dark Horse): To truly understand this choice, you have to understand that disappointment comes from expectations not being met–and in some cases, from expectations being bitch slapped by promises unfulfilled. In this case, we were led to believe that master storyteller Matt Kindt was going to deliver a “silent issue”; and if you we’re like me, you thought immediately to the silent issue of all silent issues: G.I. Joe #21 from Larry Hama and Steve Leialoha, which blew our minds thirty years ago–yikes! With the poison–the potent neurotoxin nostalgia–already in the wound, what chance did this stab at a silent issue have–especially after our being rudely welcomed by word one! Wouldn’t you know: Kindt–ever the clever creator–was playing us from the promise! His interpretation of silent: no dialogue–which means that thoughts are fair game; and to make the game more fun, those thoughts were insightful, sure, but sometimes ironic, considering the situations in which the thoughts were, umm, thought. So, fine, it’s “silent,” I’ll buy it–and I did buy it, blissfully ignorant and high on hope; however, while the story works well within the world of Mind MGMT, Kindt has managed to both exploit and execute my innocent expectations. The former finds me somewhat satisfied, but it’s the latter than leaves me mostly nonplussed–and this issue as our Biggest Dis(appointment) of the month. (SC)

Veil #3 (Dark Horse): The ante has been upped–and so has my interest in the book. It ain’t Lazarus, folks, but it ain’t bad: Greg Rucka’s going full Fatale, and Toni Fejzula’s art is pretty striking.

Veil #3

Astro City #12 (DC/Vertigo): The follow-up to a terrific #11, which you’ll see highlighted in a celebratory post in the not-so-distant future.

Batman Eternal #5 (DC): Into my second month of Gotham-centered gobbledygook. #4 offered up plenty of reasons to jump off–including an awful conversation between Batman and Batgirl. I mean, who talks like that?

The Wake #8 (DC/Vertigo): Ah, a rare double dose of Scott Snyder. I was disappointed with #7: it didn’t quite sell what #6 so emphatically offered. By and by, I buy.

Clone #16 (Image): #15 is a bit lost on me, but that’s OK; Clone‘s been a fun ride.

Fatale #22 (Image): No surprise here: Fatale has been nominated for an Innie in the Best Ongoing Series category! #21 didn’t quite capture the same magic as #20–our #2 book of February–but is was still pretty darned good. Hey: Brubaker and Phillips are competing against themselves–the ridiculously high standard they’ve set for themselves over the life of this brilliant book. Hmm… Would that be a fatal strength?

Fatale #22

Nailbiter #1 (Image): I haven’t been taken by anything I’ve read from Joshua Williamson. But I’ll take this one home, thank you very much. It’s a #1 thing.

Satellite Sam #8 (Image): Hawkeye is very good. Sex Criminals is more overrated than x-rated. Satellite Sam, however, is proving to be Fraction’s flagship. Doesn’t hurt that Howard Chaykin’s black and white art is out of this world.

Cyclops #1 (Marvel): Greg Rucka–nominated for an Innie in the Best Writer category for his work on Lazarus–returns to the hot half of the Big Two and takes on one of my all-time favorite characters. Even though we’re going to be spinning ’round in space, I’m still pretty psyched.

Cyclops #1

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #2 (Marvel): Writer/artist Kaare Andrews impressed with an engaging #1. Highlight: his building of Danny’s backstory. Let’s see what he does with Danny’s frontstory.

Loki: Agent of Asgard #4 (Marvel): Al Ewing’s having fun and so am I; so I’m still buying.

Magneto #3 (Marvel): I really liked what Cullen Bunn did in #2: he crafted a tight, emotionally affecting story from the past and cradled it expertly with a tense present.

Magneto #3

Miracleman #5 (Marvel): So, so good. What have we learned after four issues? Alan Moore’s the real Miracleman.

Moon Knight #3 (Marvel): Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey delivered a kill-shot–one after another–with #2. If you–yeah, you–didn’t pick it up, do yourself a favor and grab it and #3 while you’re at it.

Caliban #2 (Avatar): The first one was good enough to give this one a go. Liked it more than I liked Pariah and the space side of Letter 44, if that tells you anything. I’m not too sure that tells me anything.

The Sixth Gun #40 (Oni Press): As solid–and consistent–an ongoing as you’re bound to find. That’s right: no peaks and valleys here: Bunn and Hurtt are brilliant from one issue to the next.

The Woods #1 (BOOM!): James Tynion IV goes original with some otherworldly horror. Talk about field trips!